The King and I are here.

Disclaimer: This is a sponsored post that contains affiliate links. Although I received some form of compensation and this post is sponsored, all opinions are my own. This post is brought to you by the Pittsburgh Cultural Trust.

Jose Llana and Laura Michelle Kelly in Rodgers & Hammerstein’s The King and I. Photo by Matthew Murphy

Two worlds collide in the Lincoln Center Theater production of this “breathtaking and exquisite” (The New York Times) musical, directed by Bartlett Sher. One of Rodgers & Hammerstein’s finest works, THE KING AND I boasts a score that features such beloved classics as “Getting To Know You,” “I Whistle a Happy Tune,” “Hello Young Lovers,” “Shall We Dance” and “Something Wonderful.”

Laura Michelle Kelly and Jose Llana in Rodgers & Hammerstein’s The King and I. Photo by Matthew Murphy

Set in 1860’s Bangkok, the musical tells the story of the unconventional and tempestuous relationship that develops between the King of Siam and Anna Leonowens, a British schoolteacher whom the modernist King, in an imperialistic world, brings to Siam to teach his many wives and children. Winner of the 2015 Tony Award® for Best Musical Revival, THE KING AND I is “too beautiful to miss” (New York Magazine).

Laura Michelle Kelly as Anna and the Royal Children of Rodgers & Hammerstein’s The King and I. Photo by Matthew Murphy

Press Release:

Pittsburgh, PA—Ambassador Theatre Group and NETworks Presentations LLC announces that Laura Michelle Kelly (Anna Leonowens) and Jose Llana (King of Siam) will lead the national tour of the Lincoln Center Theater production of Rodgers & Hammerstein’s THE KING AND I. Joan Almedilla will play Lady Thiang with Brian Rivera as Kralahome, Manna Nichols as Tuptim, Kavin Panmeechao as Lun Tha, Anthony Chan as Prince Chulalongkorn, Graham Montgomery as Louis Leonowens and Baylen Thomas as Captain Orton/Sir Edward Ramsey. The tour launched in Providence, RI October 30–November 6, 2016, and will play multi-week and single week engagements throughout the 2016-17 touring season and beyond. Please find the complete schedule at www.thekinganditour.com.

In Pittsburgh, THE KING AND I will open at the Benedum Center, 237 7th Street on Tuesday, April 4 through Sunday, April 9, 2017. This tour is part of the 2016-2017 PNC Broadway in Pittsburgh series, a presentation of the Pittsburgh Cultural Trust, Pittsburgh Symphony, and Broadway Across America.

Performances are Tuesday through Thursday evenings at 7:30 p.m., Friday evening at 8:00 p.m., Saturday at 2:00 p.m. and 8:00 p.m. and Sunday at 1:00 p.m. and 6:30 p.m. On Wednesday, April 5, at 6:30 p.m. PNC Broadway in Pittsburgh patrons are invited to join us for a free pre-show talk, Know The Show Before You Go, held at the Trust Arts Education Center, 805-807 Liberty Avenue, Pittsburgh, PA 15222. For more information visit: www.TrustArts.org/KnowTheShow.

Laura Michelle Kelly as Anna in Rodgers & Hammerstein’s The King and I. Photo by Matthew Murphy

Tickets ($26-$105) to THE KING AND I at the Benedum Center are available at these Pittsburgh Cultural Trust official ticket sources: www.TrustArts.org, by calling 412-456-4800 or in person at Theater Square Box Office, 655 Penn Avenue, Pittsburgh, PA 15222. For information about the PNC Broadway in Pittsburgh subscription series, visit TrustArts.org or call 412-456-1390. Tickets for Groups of 10+ are available online at TrustArts.org or call 412-471-6930.

Director Bartlett Sher had this to say about the leads in THE KING AND I: “Jose was so superb on Broadway in The King and I that I begged him to join us on the tour and I feel we are incredibly lucky to have him. He brings such joy and virility and strength to the King. And he is one of Broadway’s great talents.

“Laura Michelle has one of the best voices on Broadway matched with an extraordinary heart. Her work on Finding Neverland and Mary Poppins distinguished both of those shows with her natural grace and joy. She will be an exquisite Anna Leonowens.”

Laura Michelle Kelly, Baylen Thomas and Graham Montgomery in Rodgers & Hammerstein’s The King and I. Photo by Matthew Murphy

THE KING AND I, directed by Tony Award® winner Bartlett Sher, won four 2015 Tony Awards® including Best Revival of a Musical. Hailed as “first-rate, sumptuous” (The New York Times) and “too beautiful to miss” (New York Magazine), the production played 538 performances on Broadway at the Vivian Beaumont Theater.

Bartlett Sher is reunited with the award-winning creative team from Rodgers & Hammerstein’s South Pacific and The Light in the Piazza. THE KING AND I has music direction by Ted Sperling, sets by Michael Yeargan, costumes by Catherine Zuber (Tony Award® winner for THE KING AND I), lighting by Donald Holder, sound by Scott Lehrer and casting by Telsey + Company/Abbie Brady-Dalton, CSA. THE KING AND I features choreography by Christopher Gattelli based on the original choreography by Jerome Robbins.

One of Rodgers & Hammerstein’s finest works, THE KING AND I boasts a score that features such beloved classics as “Getting To Know You,” “Hello Young Lovers,” “Shall We Dance,” “I Have Dreamed” and “Something Wonderful.” Set in 1860’s Bangkok, the musical tells the story of the unconventional and tempestuous relationship that develops between the King of Siam and Anna Leonowens, a British schoolteacher, whom the modernist King, in an imperialistic world, brings to Siam to teach his many wives and children.

Manna Nichols and Kavin Panmeechao in Rodgers & Hammerstein’s The King and I. Photo by Matthew Murphy

Cast and Creative Biographies

LAURA MICHELLE KELLY (Anna Leonowens) is an Olivier Award winning actress for her star-making performance as the title role in the London production of Disney’s Mary Poppins. Kelly just recently completed a year and a half run playing Sylvia Llewelyn Davies in the Broadway production of Finding Neverland, starring opposite Matthew Morrison and Kelsey Grammer after originating the role at the American Repertory Theater (2015 Elliott Award Nominee). Her other Broadway credits include reprising her role in Mary Poppins and the 2004 revival of Fiddler on the Roof. West End credits include: My Fair Lady (Eliza), Speed-the-Plow (Karen), Lord of the Rings: The Musical (Galadriel), Beauty and the Beast (Belle), Whistle Down the Wind (Swallow), Peter Pan (Wendy), Les Misérables (Eponine), Mamma Mia! (Sophie). Regional: The King and I (Anna) and South Pacific (Nellie). Film: Sweeney Todd (Lucy/Beggar Woman; dir. Tim Burton) and Goddess (2012 Cannes Film Festival) Album: The Storm Inside (2006). Recipient: Awarded Voice of Musical Theatre. Numerous radio, TV, concert appearances including Albert Hall, Hampton Court Palace, Royal Opera House, Millennium Stadium, Buckingham Palace and performed for President Obama for the 4th of July celebrations. www.lauramichellekelly.net

JOSE LLANA (King of Siam) returns to the role of “The King of Siam” after two starring engagements in the Tony-winning Lincoln Center revival of The King and I. He made his American Songbook debut in the spring of 2015, which led to the release of his second solo CD, Altitude in the spring of 2016. He earned a Lucille Lortel Award nomination for Best Actor in a Musical for his portrayal as Marcos in David Byrne & Fat Boy Slim’s Here Lies Love at The Public Theater (dir. Alex Timbers) and most recently played Duke Orsino for The Public Theater’s Public Works musical adaptation of Twelfth Night (dir. Kwame Kwei-Armah) at The Delacorte. Broadway credits include Chip Tolentino in William Finn’s The 25th Annual Putnam Country Spelling Bee (Drama Desk Award, dir. James Lapine), El Gato in Wonderland, Wang Ta in David Henry Hwang’s adaptation of Rodgers & Hammerstein’s Flower Drum Song, Angel in RENT (dir. Michael Greif), Jessie-Lee in Streetcorner Symphony and his debut as Lun Tha in the 1996 Revival of Rodgers & Hammerstein’s The King and I opposite Donna Murphy and Lou Diamond Phillips. Off-Broadway appearances include Adam in Falling for Eve (York), Gabey in On the Town (dir. George C. Wolfe, Delacorte) and Adam Guettel’s Saturn Returns (dir. Tina Landau, Public Theater). Regional appearances include DistanceRunner in Poster Boy (Williamstown Theater Festival), Bill Sikes in Oliver! (Paper Mill), Guillaume in Cameron Mackintosh’s Martin Guerre (Guthrie Theater), Tin Man in Ballad of Little Jo (Steppenwolf Theater, dir. Tina Landau, Jefferson Nomination – Best Supporting Actor) and Candide in Candide (Prince Theater, Barrymore Nomination – Best Actor). TV/Film appearances include HBO’s “Sex and the City” opposite Margaret Cho and Hitch with Will Smith. Appearing on numerous cast albums, Jose is also a best-selling recording artist on the VIVA Philippines label. Training from Manhattan School of Music. Jose is a constant advocate for Broadway Cares/Equity Fights AIDS and serves on the Musical Theater Council for The Public Theater. www.josellana.com

Broadway Across AmericaBroadway Across America is part of The John Gore Organization family of companies, which includes Broadway.com and The Broadway Channel. Led by 9 time Tony-winning producer John Gore (Owner & CEO), BAA is the foremost presenter of first-class touring productions in North America, operating in 41 markets with over 270,000 subscribers. Current and past productions include Beautiful, Cats, Chicago, Fiddler on the Roof, Finding Neverland, Million Dollar Quartet, Hairspray, On Your Feet!, School of Rock and The Producers. Broadway.com is the premier theater website for news, exclusive content and ticket sales. For more information please visit BroadwayAcrossAmerica.com and Broadway.com.

About Carol A. Gerner

Hi there! My name is Carol. Nice to meet you! I am a Pittsburgh born, mom/wife, and die hard Steeler Fan that is happily married with two sons. Life is busy, crazy, exhausting and exciting depending on the day. But everyday is fulfilling. I truly believe I was born to be a mom.

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